Explore a massive galaxy full of exotic environments, undiscovered treasures and hidden enemies.

Star man

2183, the starship Normandy is on a routine mission before being attacked by an unknown enemy. The crew are forced to evacuate, but the pilot, Joker, remains at the helm until Commander Shepard yanks him from his seat and throws him into an escape pod. Unfortunately for Shepard, another attack separates him from the escape pod and Joker is forced to abandon ship without his mentor.

Moments later a second explosion rips through the Normandy's steel frame knocking Shepard off his feet, slicing into his suit and sending him reeling out into deep space where he gasps his final breath in zero gravity. The legendary commander of the Normandy is gone. Or is he?

Two years later. Shepard awakens on a space station run by Cerberus, an extremist pro-human organisation that brought him back to life via the Lazarus Project. The space station is under heavy attack, and this time Shepard escapes and is tasked with setting out on a mission to hunt down a mysterious force that has been wiping out entire human colonies throughout the galaxy.

Welcome to the riveting world of Mass Effect 2 on PlayStation 3.

More mass, more effect

Mass Effect 2 on PS3 features a wealth of bonus content including a stunning interactive comic book developed by the BioWare team and comic book publisher, Dark Horse Comics. The interactive tale delivers the core story elements of the original and allows you to choose the outcome of certain events, which will affect how the story in Mass Effect 2 unfolds.

Inside the box, you'll also find a special access code that unlocks a myriad of bonus items in the Cerberus Network. Once you start the game and have signed into your Sony Entertainment Network account you will be asked to create an EA Online account. Follow the simple steps if you don't already have one, then input the voucher code found inside the box. Now you'll have access to a wealth of free content for your squad including Zaeed, a lethal gun for hire. There are also weapons, vehicles and lots more surprises waiting for you in the Cerberus Network, so be sure to take advantage of it straight away.

Mass Effect 2 includes a series of bonus missions, which add even more playing time to this already mammoth sci-fi experience. These additional missions include Lair of the Shadow Broker, Project Overlord, Kasumi: Stolen Memory and the Blood Dragon Armour.

Crew members

Mass Effect 2 features a massive roster of deeply layered characters that populate the vast universe the game takes place in. You play as Commander Shepard, the main protagonist of the game, while the second most prominent character in the story is the Illusive Man, the mysterious leader of the Cerberus organisation voiced by Hollywood legend, Martin Sheen.

Miranda Lawson is Shepard's second in command and she remains by his side on most of the missions undertaken for the Illusive Man. Miranda is a specialist in military and tactical support, as well as a liaison for the mysterious Cerberus founder and leader. She is also one of the first characters you meet at the outset of the game alongside Jacob Taylor, a former soldier with special biotic abilities that allow him to levitate enemies and objects.

Other significant characters appearing over the course of the story are Garrus Vakarian, an old friend of Shepard's, and Thane Krios, an assassin that joins Shepard's squad in an attempt to atone for his past actions as a killer for hire.

Choose a path

Commander Shepard is the default character you control in Mass Effect 2, and there is a vast character customisation menu found at the outset of the game that allows you to shape your own character from scratch. Choosing either a male or female, you can modify appearance, abilities and even military background depending on your preferences as a player.

There are a number of classes to choose from, each of which features their own special attributes. For example, Soldier class is the most skilled with weaponry, so if you want a more action based experience, this is the ideal option to choose.

Dialogue plays a huge part in Mass Effect 2, allowing you to choose from multiple responses when conversing with characters you'll come across in the course of the game. Responses vary, allowing you to appear either diplomatic or aggressive, depending on the path you wish to choose. Be warned though; your tone affects the game's missions and the choices you make, so think about your response before delivering it.

While Mass Effect 2 places an emphasis on story and interaction, it's also an action game at its core, filled with plenty of pulse-pounding missions. Throughout them you'll wield an arsenal of weaponry including machine guns, pistols, grenade launchers and sniper rifles. Each of these can be upgraded with special abilities such as incendiary rounds.